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Riley worked in an aircraft plant in California, but viewers usually saw him at home, cheerfully disrupting life with his malapropisms and ill timed intervention into minor problems.
“'What a revoltin' development this is!"”
1953
A series of mix-ups convinces Riley he is mortally ill.
Riley learns that a cart horse he's fond of is to be "retired" so he purchases it. After he brings it home Peg insists Chester find a different place to keep it but he is at a loss as to what to do with the animal.
Gillis decides to play a joke on his friend Riley, leading Chester to believe Peg is expecting again. Riley is both worried and excited about being a dad again and Peg doesn't understand her husband's kind behavior.
Riley finds a fox wrap on the bus and takes it home to turn it into lost & found. He's forgotten it is Peg's birthday and she excitedly assumes the fur is her gift. Riley can't figure a way out of his predicament.
Riley's jealous nature backfires on him.
Riley is temporarily named foreman at the aircraft plant. Is he up to the job?
Babs wants to go alone to San Francisco but Riley doesn't like the idea. He suggests Peg act as her chaperone. When Gillis sees the Riley men backing it, he spreads the news that Peg left her husband, getting even Chester believing it.
Riley gets Babs a blind date.
Riley teaches Junior how to box and ends up in a 6 round match with Junior's teacher.
Junior has two dates for his first dance.
Chester, in a burst of generosity, donates his family's beds to a charity mission. His plan to replace the furniture falls through and Riley has trouble explaining what happened to Peg and the kids.
Riley is a bundle of nerves, after he promises his boss, Mr. Cunningham, that he'll get a football player to escort his big homely niece to the school dance.
Riley goes to great lengths to remember his anniversary.
William Bendix
Chester A. Riley
1953
Babs is running for President of her college's freshman class. Riley attempts to provide unwanted assistance to her election campaign meet with predictable disaster.
1956
Gillis gets a telegram from out of the blue and is secretive about its contents. Riley speculates wildly that his friend came into money and gets mad at Jim for being so mysterious.
Riley receives a letter from the president of the airplane plant in which he works, Cyrus P. Cunningham, announcing that the company will honor Riley's ten years of service with a luncheon in the boardroom the following day.
Riley needs a new suit. When his kids decide to surprise him with one, he begins thinking he's crazy because the only suit he has to use keeps disappearing.
Riley replaces Peg's baking-contest entry with a store-bought cake.
Riley tries determining the identity of a woman who kissed him in the dark.
Peg goes to work in a run-down café.
Riley makes a last-ditch attempt to marry off his sister Cissy.
Riley goes all out to win a car in a bean-counting contest.
Riley sets up as Scoutmaster when Junior's regular scoutmaster must take a leave of absence for the troop. Also, Riley sets out to show his wife that a man can do all the household duties in half the time a woman can.
Riley is pitted against boxer Lou Nova at a charity bazaar.
The Rileys swap houses with "Square Head" Malloy for three days.
Junior's efforts to build a racer are hampered by unwanted advice.
Riley's family is selected to appear in a radio program that brings parents and a child together for a family reunion - and plants hidden microphones throughout the house to capture their unrehearsed reactions to the event.
Riley tries supplementing his wages by buying a hamburger stand.
Feeling that their families don't sufficiently appreciate them, Riley and Gillis decide to spend their vacation camping at a remote mountain cabin - and come to appreciate their lives back in the suburbs.
Riley picks up two banquet tickets discarded by his boss.
Riley's sore throat is traced to his tonsils and he's ordered to have them removed. It's all his family and friends can do to get him to the hospital for his operation.
Riley is dismayed when his spur-of-the-moment resignation is accepted.
Riley's efforts to secure a date for Babs to the Sadie Hawkins dance backfire.
When Babs' friends see her out with Riley, rumors fly that she's dating a rich older man.
Peg's uncle captivates the Rileys with stories of his war heroism.
Riley tries dissuading Babs from going steady.
At the laundromat Chester meets an attractive French miss upset over her visa expiration. The lady explains that if it appears that she's to be married she can stay. Riley becomes engaged to her but explaining to wife Peg is difficult.
Riley is named Father of the Month by his lodge.
Hoping to make Riley jealous, Peg invites an old flame for dinner.
A trip to Hawaii is offered to the most average employee where Riley is employed. Deciding he has the prize in the the bag Chester acts in ways that jeopardize his chances of winning.
Don wants to go fishing with his buddies and Babs gets upset that her new husband wants to spend time away from her. Despite being warned, Riley gets involved in the newlywed's marital troubles.
The Riley and Gillis families are looking for a new place to live. They find the perfect two house arrangement and move in after arguing about who lives where. The Rileys discover downstairs comes with a tenant, landlord Mr. Winkley.
Furious with one another after arguing, best friends Riley and Gillis compete to meet other people and make new friends.
Chester worries when Junior trades his car for a hot rod. Junior and friends just wanted a safe place to race but Chester ruins their plans to use an unused Cunningham runway. Chester assumes he's fired after he fixes his mess.
A lonely Riley wanders in to a wild party.
When Riley confronts foreman Hawkins on the factory floor and angrily demands a raise, Hawkins insists he apologize for his rude behavior. Riley refuses to apologize so Hawkins fires him on the spot. Now Riley is looking for a new job and each expect the other to offer an apology.
With Babs expecting, Chester decides to become involved in planning day-care for his soon-to-be-grandchild. However, when he attends a "baby nursing course" that he thought would be for nurses, he discovers that it is instead a class for mothers. Complications ensue.
Riley and Gillis march in the Brooklyn Patriots of Los Angeles parade and get soaked when rains. Riley stays home in bed the following day to prevent catching pneumonia while Peg tends to Babs. When Peg takes Babs to the hospital for delivery, Riley rushes over in his pajamas and is mistaken for a loose patient. Babs delivers a healthy baby boy among all the chaos.
Egbert is stranded in Chicago without the cash to get home. As a surprise to his friends Gillis and Honeybee, Riley holds a fundraiser to get Egbert home to California.
Honeybee's mother comes for a visit but because she can't climb stairs the mother-in-law stays in the Riley's home. Chester is soon exasperated by the difficult to please woman.
Riley believes that his new grandson is the greatest baby ever and won't stop talking about how amazing he is. The constant bragging is starting to create a strain on the guys at work.
There's a grand opening celebration at a new Friendly Franklyn's Grocery Store and they're giving away an all-expense paid vacation to Hawaii. Customers get a numbered ticket each time they buy groceries so, to get more tickets, Riley grocery shops one item at a time.
The Honolulu police are questioning Riley about a crime and possible murder. The Riley's and the Gillis' have spent three weeks in Hawaii and are getting ready to return to Los Angeles. But first, they need to buy gifts for friends and family and end-up involved with two con-men who try to scam them.
Hawkins tells Riley and Gillis that he's no longer foreman, their old friend, Otto Schmidlap, is the new foreman. But the secret is, Otto is only temporary foreman while Hawkins is on vacation. Riley and Gillis devise a plan to make Otto look more capable so he will be made their full-time foreman, but the plan takes a wrong turn.
Millionaire Houston Dodsworth is up from Texas to see Gillis and offer him $5000 for the piece of land they share. Riley botches the deal when he tell Dodsworth that Gillis is a millionaire himself. Gillis is furious, so Riley contacts Dodsworth to rearrange the sale, only now the deal includes Gillis playing in a upcoming polo match.
Zsa Zsa Gabor plays a voluptuous maid who disrupts the Riley and Gillis homes.
Junior brings home a goat for a ten day 4-H project. Chester finds himself tangling with the stubborn animal and trying to keep the goat from eating everything around.
Riley steps in when he suspects Junior is dating an older woman.
Babs tells Peg that she and her husband have hired a famous architect to design their new home. Riley isn't convinced that the designer knows his business and soon the two men are butting heads over the project's blueprints.
Riley sets out to buy a cheap watch for Gillis but ends up buying an expensive watch and Peg is not happy. He goes back to the jewelry shop to buy an expensive watch for Peg but Gillis thinks it's for Honeybee's birthday. Honeybee ends-up with the watch and now Peg is really upset. So back Riley goes to the Jeweler to buy his 3rd expensive watch.
The Gillis and Riley couples look forward to some relaxation after getting time off. They head to the beach where the boys look forward to getting in some fishing. With Chester involved, the time proves to be anything but stress free.
After a dispute, the Riley family is evicted. Chester convinces Gillis to be an obnoxious neighbor so his former home goes unrented. Chester's plan backfires as Jim and Honeybee become homeless also.
Riley and Gillis are purchasing the duplex they're renting as joint-owners but Riley can't find the bonds needed for his down payment. He believes his hid them in his old house in Blue View Terrace, which is currently owned by two sisters. He and Gillis go back to the house and enlist the help of their old friend, Waldo Binny, to recover the bonds
Riley adopts a stray dog named Baskerville but the dog howls at night causing a disturbance. An angry and sleep-deprived Gillis counters with a rooster for a pet and now a petition is going around to force the two noisy families out of the neighborhood.
Riley and Gillis are gathering items for their annual camping vacation together. Except this year, at the last minute, Riley gets an invitation to use a luxury beach house and Gillis is invited to an all-expense paid stay at a Texas Dude Ranch. Now, each have to figure how to get out of their vacation commitment with the other.
Riley and Gillis ask for, then unexpectedly receive, raises so they convince Otto to do the same. Otto though is fired and his two buddies feel responsible, so they scheme to get Otto his job back.
Chester is afraid Junior is going to be unemployed for the summer, so dad puts a $50 deposit on a busboy job. Junior has a better paying position at a logging camp lined up, so Chester tries to get his money back.
1955
Babs is worried when she hasn't heard from her marine boyfriend for awhile. Riley comes up with an outrageous scheme to cheer his little girl up which goes wrong and makes things worse.
Waldo Binny's sister, Mrs. Lindsey, knocks on Riley door looking for her brother. She wants Waldo to babysit her son, Drake, for the weekend but Waldo is hiding because he knows his little nephew is a monster. Besides, Waldo has a big date tonight with his new love, Millicent. Mrs. Lindsey leaves Drake in Riley's care but now no one wants responsibility to babysit the difficult child.
Having promised a fishing trip to Hawkins, and then forgetting to rent a boat, Riley and Otto borrow Muley's rowboat, but wreck it. They then turn to attempting to assemble a prefab boat, but stupidly put it together in Riley's parlor.
Chester has misplaced his watch and Dudley puts it in a vase for safekeeping. Riley gets the notion he is a thief from his actions and intends to not only reform his pal from his life of crime, but also get his timepiece back.
Chester fakes a backache and his boss gives him the entire week off. Riley looks forward to his surprise vacation but things don't go as planned, much to his disappointment.
Junior has success on the football field and he lets the praise go to his head. The Riley parents wonder how to handle their son but Junior had his ego deflated in awkward circumstances.
Riley gets an unexpected day off from the airplane plant and decides to spend it in the park. Chester's appearance and behavior lead to mistaken ideas about his financial situation.
Riley and Peg plan surprise anniversary parties for each other....on the same night.
To prevent his mother from moving in, Waldo announces he's engaged.
It's Babs' wedding day and its hard to tell who's more nervous - Chester A. Riley or his daughter, the bride.
Riley thinks it's time the family had a second auto and he will sacrifice his motorcycle to make it happen. Chester holds a raffle for his bike but he befuddles the idea and his plan starts to unravel.
Riley's task: persuading Junior to complete his education.
Riley shelters his brother-in-law, a compulsive gambler.
Babs leaves out an instruction list from her doctor and Chester finds it. He jumps to the conclusion that Don's mother is expecting. Babs struggles to clear up the misunderstanding and tell her dad his little girl is having a baby.
1954
Junior and Egbert are interested in buying a sailboat but keep their dads out of the loop. After overhearing talk, Riley and Gillis thinks the boys are getting serious with girls. Pops plans on stopping the non-existent relationship.
Riley has the notion to become a pilot and convinces his best friend Gillis to join in taking lessons. Over the protests of his family Riley perseveres with his idea until reality sets in.
A suggestion box is installed at work and Riley is soon in trouble with all of his "helpful" ideas.
The Riley's travel to Brooklyn to visit Chester's parents.
Riley's boss Hawkins asks Chester to watch his dog. While under his care, the pooch runs away and Riley panics.
Chester's children get some ideas on how to save money in the family budget. Despite Peg's misgivings, he agrees to let Babs and Junior run things - but soon the household is in chaos.
Riley is out to prove he has cultural tastes and purchases an Indian statue. His family thinks it's hideous and Peg insists he get rid of it. Riley finds no takers when he tries first to sell it, then give the "artwork" away.
Riley's friend Waldo follows numerology and after a certain occurrences Chester becomes a believer also. His family remains skeptical and begin to be annoyed when Chester insists on certain rituals.
When the neighbors find out Chester is willing to store a couple of items in his garage they take advantage of the situation. Soon the Rileys are overwhelmed with other's belongings and Peg issues an ultimatum.
Junior has his first major crush and Chester gives him a heart to heart about relationships. When Peg learns of her husband's views on marriage she's not happy and Riley scrambles to fix the mess he made.
Chester believes he can make some extra cash by organizing car pools. It goes wrong in so many ways with everyone involved mad at Chester for another hare brained scheme.
Riley and Gillis are competing for the same promotion which endangers their close friendship.
Chester is asked to watch the Gillis home while the family is away. Riley sees a chance to make some extra money and rents the house to a circus family. The carnies turn the neighborhood upside down and Riley is befuddled.
Riley is worried about money so he and Gillis ask their sons to contribute. Junior and Egbert runaway but an encounter with a hobo sends the boys back home. Promises are made by the worried dads, not knowing the kids are back.
Riley is given the task of finding a wrestler to take on the company champion. He is first made to buy the athlete's contract then Chester finds he must house and feed the man before the match. His family vehemently objects.
Chester and Peg notice Babs has many new things but no source of money to buy them. Riley suspects his daughter has been shoplifting the items and goes to unusual lengths to stop her criminal behavior.
Riley's parents are visiting but are anxious to get back home to Brooklyn. But, Chester likes them being nearby so he buys his folks a chicken ranch to operate despite the city background.
Chester is excited when wife Peg is selected to be a juror in an important trial. Despite being warned, Riley gets himself involved and ends up jeopardizing the case.
Once a year Riley and his pal give their wives a treat by taking them dancing -- but this year the girls insist the guys take dancing lessons first.
Pa Riley is visiting but is eager to get back to Brooklyn. Chester thinks that if he gets his dad to join Chester's lodge that he will have more incentive to stay.
Riley is to train a young Jack Clifford in his job and he catches on quickly. Riley jumps to conclusions thinking he's about to be fired so he resigns instead. When Riley realizes his mistake, he frantically tries to fix his predicament.
Riley and Gillis are assigned to a special project and are told to keep quiet about it. Riley ends up boasting about the secret project, which lands him in major trouble.
Otto's romance has ended which leaves him understandably saddened. Riley and Gillis work to cheer their friend up but the two men make things worse.
1957
Peg decides to turn a spare room into a den creating chaos in the Riley household, most of it caused by Chester.
An old buddy of Jim arrives on the scene and Gillis starts spending all his spare time with the friend. Chester feels lonely and angry but his efforts to intrude create awkward moments.
Contest enthusiast Riley applies a scientific method to determine the number of beans in a jar.
Peg and Honeybee take golf lessons so they can join the husbands in their outdoor activities. Chester and Jim are against the notion so they come up with devious plan to derail their wives' plans.
Riley's party for baby Chester boomerangs.
Riley becomes a recluse when his friends refuse to go fishing with him.
Peg is upset because Junior has moved out to the Fleming House on the college campus. To cheer her up, Riley insists she goes to the beauty parlor for the works then buy a new outfit. He intends to send her on vacation to Brooklyn to visit his brother and family. The only problem is, his brother's daughter, Annie from Brooklyn, shows up at their door on a mission to cheer Peg up.
Junior has college finals coming up and needs private time to study without any distractions so he decides not to date his girlfriend Bobby for the next two weeks. Bobby agrees and now it becomes Riley's job to keep the hungry dating wolves away from Junior and Bobby until Junior completes his assignments.
The food bill soars when Annie falls for heavy-eating Moose.
Cunningham Aircraft has hired an efficiency expert, Walter Bellflower, to improve the recreational program for the employees. Walter has assigned Riley and Gillis to coach the new ladies bowling team; four old, rough-looking gals. But there's been a mistake, so Walter reassigns the boys to another team of young good looking beauties.
Chester and Gillis persuade a discontented pal to leave his job, and they lend their assistance as he writes a letter of resignation.
Riley enrolls in night school to obtain his high-school diploma.
Based on their duplex agreement, Riley owns the grounds plus the maintenance and Gillis is responsible for the roof. But Riley is getting tired of doing all the yard work so he starts a rumor that oil has been discovered on their property. When Gillis hears about the oil, he becomes anxious to share in some of the yard work.
Babs is entered in the Mrs. Aircraft Industries beauty contest.
Riley decides to be more generous to Peg.
Riley schemes to reunite Annie with her father.
Riley schemes to prevent other boys from dating Junior's girlfriend.
Riley becomes a hero when he captures a thief.
Annie loves to listen to her favorite radio program, "The Lonesome Guy", starring Charles Chambers. The program is offering a romantic evening out with the lonesome guy for some lucky love starved woman and Annie wins the contest. Unfortunately, it turns out that the "lonesome guy" is not as appealing as his silky voice would imply.
Calvin Dudley returns for a visit and ropes Riley and Gillis into a phony money-making scheme.
Riley and Gillis balk at attending cultural events with their wives.
